Media Reform / Public News Service

Although people spent less time on average on Facebook than some other social media sites, the vast majority said they'd had arguments there. (jpgon/Adobe Stock)

Thursday, October 21, 2021

How Social Media Design Fuels Online Fights

SEATTLE - Constructive conversations online can seem few and far between. Research from the University of Washington explores how the design of …

Hurricane Ida broke New York City's single-hour rainfall record, at 3.15 inches - part of the pattern of more frequent and severe downpours which scientists say is a symptom of global warming. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Most TV Coverage of Hurricane Ida Lacked Ties to Climate Change

NEW YORK -- New research suggests corporate and cable TV news outlets failed to contextualize more frequent and extreme weather events to global warmi…

Researchers at Consumer Reports are particularly interested in hearing from rural households of color in a survey on internet speed, reliability and cost. (Prosstock/Adobe Stock)

Consumer Reports Asks Americans to Upload Internet Bills

By Adilia Watson. Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter. Reporting for the Daily Yonder-Arkansas News Service Collaboration Consumer Reports, in …

Public News Service joins the Trust Project, along with news outlets in the U.S, Europe and Central and South America. (The Trust Project)

Public News Service Joins the Trust Project to Support Transparency, Accuracy in Journalism

BOULDER, Colo. - As people struggle to find trusted news and information, Colorado News Connection and its network Public News Service are …

The newest edition of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Kids Count Data Book explores how America's child population fared during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Poverty Continues to Stall Progress on WV Kids' Well-Being

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- New survey data offer a clear picture of how West Virginia kids and families are faring. The Mountain State ranks 44th in the …

One in four Medicare recipients reported using telehealth services at the peak of the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio Budget Funding for Broadband Expansion in Jeopardy

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Funding that would help bridge the digital divide in Ohio is in jeopardy. House Bill 2, signed into law in May, created the Ohio …

California lawmakers must weigh growing health and safety concerns about radiation exposure with calls to improve the state's broadband infrastructure. (Noah Davidson)

Groups, Cities Fight Bills to Speed 5G Wireless Broadband Expansion

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Community activists are urging California lawmakers to reject two bills that would limit local control in order to clear the way …

Studies have shown that children's media use of more than two hours a day can lead to increases in obesity. (Adobe Stock)<br /> — Studies have shown that children's media use of more than two hours a day can lead to increases in obesity. (Adobe Stock)

Kentucky AG Wants Facebook to Scrap Kids’ Instagram

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Kentucky's attorney general is part of a group that wants Facebook to stop its plans to create a kids' version of Instagram…

The World Health Organization and American Academy of Pediatrics recommend no screen time at all for children until 18 to 24 months, except for video chatting, and say kids ages 2 to 5 should get an hour or less of screen time per day.(Adobe Stock)

AGs Urge Zuckerberg to Halt Plans for Kids' Instagram

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee's attorney general is part of a group that wants Facebook to stop its plans to create a kids' version of Instagram…

A new Colorado law aims to enable students to become critical consumers and creators of media. (Pixabay)

Media-Literacy Bill Headed to Gov. Polis' Desk

DENVER -- A bill designed to help Colorado students learn how to critically evaluate what they see and hear in today's digital media landscape has cle…

Only 9% of Hoosiers have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, but that's a higher percentage than in any of its neighboring states. (Adobe Stock)

IN Researchers Track COVID Vaccine Uptake, Online Misinformation

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana has a somewhat high rate of COVID vaccine refusal, and researchers are investigating whether false information online is …

Alden Global Capital controls more than 100 local and regional newspapers, and the number of staff members at those papers has been reduced by more than twice the national industry average since 2012. (Rawf8/Adobe Stock)

Chicago Tribune Guild Seeks Local, "Civic-Minded" Ownership

CHICAGO - A hedge fund's purchase of the Chicago Tribune is in the works - but until it becomes official, members of the Chicago Tribune Guild are …

Documentary Shows Self-Proclaimed Conservatives Exploring Inequalities

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- With former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial demonstrating deep divisions in the nation, a new documentary released today …

Missouri could become one of 14 states to take legislative action on media literacy, if lawmakers pass a bill to incorporate it into K-12 education. (Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

Bill Would Bring Media-Literacy Training to MO Schools

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri lawmaker introduced a bill which would add media literacy training to the public-school curriculum. House Bill 74 …

More than 600 Google employees have joined the newly formed Alphabet Workers Union, a rare occurrence in the tech industry. (Wikimedia Commons)

Google Employees Launch Rare Tech-Industry Union

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Google employees are forming the Alphabet Workers Union, both to push their parent company toward greater social responsibility and …

Net-neutrality advocates oppose President Donald Trump's effort to install a loyalist at the FCC during the lame-duck period. (Electronic Frontier Foundation)

Blumenthal, Net-Neutrality Groups Slam Trump Nominee for FCC

HARTFORD, Ct. -- The U.S. Senate could vote as early as today to approve President Donald Trump's nominee to the Federal Communications Commission - …

By the time all votes are processed and officially certified, the United States could top 150 million voters in the 2020 general election, which would be the largest turnout of eligible voters since 1908. (League of Women Voters of California)

WY Group Working to Make Sure All Votes Count

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the ACLU has filed 14 lawsuits to ensure that all eligible voters in Wyoming and …

As technology demands pick up during the COVID-19 crisis, broadband advocates say government agencies still need to provide more infrastructure funding to eliminate gaps. (Adobe Stock)

MN Broadband Test Could Pave Way for Access Solutions

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- From distance learning to telemedicine, the pandemic crisis continues to expose gaps in broadband internet access. An effort in …

When the coronavirus hit in March, more than 12 million of the 55 million American students sent home did not have home broadband access for online learning, according to the Brookings Institute. (geralt/Pixabay)

Coronavirus Shows Need to Boost Broadband for Rural TX Students

AUSTIN, Texas -- The coronavirus pandemic has illustrated that every school needs 21st-century remote access to broadband, according to Connected …

Experts say groups such as QAnon and others who traffic in false conspiracy theories are becoming increasingly involved in American politics. (Wikimedia Commons)

Experts Warn of Candidates Pushing Conspiracy Theories in Arizona

TEMPE, Ariz. -- As Arizonans head to the polls, experts say that to make an informed choice, they should study and understand each candidate's …

Children see approximately 78,069 examples of "sexy girl" role models just in children's programming alone every year. (Lars Plougmann)

Helping Wyoming Kids Be Critical Media Consumers During Pandemic

CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Kids in Wyoming and across the nation are facing more social isolation during the coronavirus pandemic, which means they're …

Studies show as many as one in four voters say they don't always trust the accuracy of the news stories in their social media inboxes. (Drobot Dean/Adobe Stock)

Expert: Media Literacy Key to Avoiding ‘Fake News’

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- For anyone who uses social media, it's a fact of modern life that some of the stories that come your way as news are either …

A new survey shows Black and Latino students in Virginia are twice as likely as white students not to have a computer in the home. (Adobe stock)

Survey Reveals Major Barriers to Online Learning for VA Students

RICHMOND, Va. -- With Virginia students about to return to online classrooms amid the coronavirus pandemic, a new report shows one-in-five-5 K-12 and …

Misinformation often exploits people's deeply held beliefs to get a reaction out of them. (MclittleStock/Adobe Stock)

Misinformation in MT Impacting November Election

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Misinformation is a top concern for election officials, especially as the pandemic transforms the election. In Montana, Gov…

Although 98% of Maryland has internet access, about 324,000 families are still lacking, according to a 2019 report. (Adobe Stock)

Proposed Tax on MD Internet Providers Could Close Broadband Gaps

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- With many people needing internet service more than ever during the pandemic, a Maryland economist is recommending an extra tax on …

"Fake news" is defined as fabricated information that mimics news media content in form but not in journalistic organizational process or intent. (Wokandapix/Pixabay)

Afraid? Outraged? "Fake News" Could Be the Culprit

SANTA FE -- With the presidential election approaching, there's renewed concern that consumers again will fall prey to "fake news" on social media…

Since 1786, the Daily Hampshire Gazette has been printed in Northampton, Mass. (Dougtone/Creative Commons)

One of Oldest U.S. Papers May Lose Printing House in Northampton

NORTHAMPTION, Mass. -- The company Newspapers of New England recently announced it plans to lay off all the workers at its printing house in …

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says more veterans are relying on telehealth appointments to communicate with their health care providers. (Adobe Stock)

Data Show More Veterans Using Telehealth During COVID-19 Crisis

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- For the more than 300,000 veterans living in the Commonwealth, the coronavirus pandemic has hindered in-person doctor visits…

To avoid inaccurate information about the novel coronavirus, Nebraskans can always visit the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website. (Pixabay)

Study: Public Susceptible to COVID-19 Misinformation

LINCOLN, Neb. -- As Nebraskans look for the latest factual information in the COVID-19 crisis, a new study shows that it's getting harder to tell …

In a recent analysis, more than 93% of reporters covering Native Americans were not Native Americans themselves. (flucas/Adobe Stock)

Report: Major Media Coverage of Native Americans Needs Work

HELENA, Mont. -- Stereotypes are common in media coverage of Native Americans, according to a new report. The Native American Journalists …

An estimated 27% of Cleveland households are considered completely unconnected from internet services. (Adobe Stock)

The Digital Divide: An Isolating Problem in Ohio

Print version by Afi Scruggs Broadcast version by Mary Schuermann Kuhlman Reporting for the Eye on Ohio, The Ohio Center for Investigative …

Almost 1 million Arizonans lack access to high-speed internet service, but state officials hope a grant program will help close that digital divide. (Funtap/Adobe Stock) <br /><br /> — Almost 1 million Arizonans lack access to high-speed internet service, but state officials hope a grant program will help close that digital divide. (Funtap/Adobe Stock)

Grants Aimed at Broadband Internet for Rural Arizona

MOHAVE VALLEY, Ariz. - Most people don't think twice about logging onto the internet to take an online class or watch a movie - but for almost a …

Previous reporting underestimated the number of Nebraska residents that didn't have access to broadband internet, which has become increasingly important for the state's farmers. (Pxhere)

Nebraska Lawmakers Consider Speeding Up Rural Broadband Access

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska lawmakers are scheduled to hear a bill next week designed to ramp up access to broadband internet in parts of the state …

In her second State of the State address, Gov. Kristi Noem promised to grow South Dakota's economy, which has lagged behind the nation's. (foundationforgovernment.org)

Gov. Noem: South Dakota "Open for Business"

PIERRE, S.D. -- In her second State of the State address, Governor Kristi Noem stressed that South Dakota is "open for business," citing tax laws …

About 80% of the 24 million American households that do not have reliable, affordable high-speed internet are in rural areas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (AARP.org)

Study: SD Voters 50-plus Want High-Speed Internet Expanded

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. -- Older adults in South Dakota want a level playing field with other states when it comes to high-speed internet service, …

Robocalls are among the biggest sources of complaints to the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission. (D3damon/iStockphoto)

All I Want for Christmas: No More Robocalls

CARSON CITY, Nev. - Anyone with a phone is getting an early Christmas present this year - as the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan bill on Thursday to …

Only 17% of Idahoans have access to high-speed, fiber-optic internet. (bugarskipavle3/Adobe Stock)

Ag Sector May Have Answers for Boosting ID Internet Access

BOISE, Idaho – Access to the Internet is a critical part of modern life, but many Idahoans can't get connected. Idaho ranks 43rd in …

According to Nielsen, 16.4 million U.S. households had over-the-air digital antennas in 2018, compared to 12 million in 2014. (pabkov/AdobeStock)

Ohio TV Stations 'Changing Their Tunes'

COLUMBUS, Ohio – About a dozen Ohio television stations are changing their tunes today, so to speak. The Federal Communications Commission is …

A U.S. Court of Appeals handed down a mixed decision, largely upholding the government's net neutrality repeal while shifting the battle to the states. (geralt/Pixabay)

Net-Neutrality Appeal Upheld, But States Still Can Act

INDIANAPOLIS – The Trump administration has the right to repeal Obama-era net-neutrality protections, according to a decision this week by the …

A Circuit Court of Appeals handed down a mixed decision, largely upholding the feds' net neutrality repeal while shifting the battle to the states. (Electronic Frontier Foundation)

Court Upholds Feds’ Repeal of Net Neutrality; Allows State Protections

LANSING, Mich. – The Trump administration has the right to repeal Obama-era net-neutrality protections, according to a decision issued Tuesday …

Net-neutrality advocates say this week's circuit court ruling will reignite efforts to pass state-level consumer protections. (Camilo Sanchez)

Net-Neutrality Battle Moves to States, and to 2020

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Net neutrality suffered a significant blow on Tuesday as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit …

T-Mobile has tried to merge with a competitor three times in the past, but the deals have been blocked each time. (Burst/Stocksnap)

California Sues to Stop Merger Between Sprint, T-Mobile

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The proposed merger between T-Mobile and Sprint hit a big roadblock on Tuesday, as state attorneys general from California…

It may come as no surprise that a new poll finds Tennessee is becoming more politically polarized. (Adobe Stock)

Poll: The Political Divide Widens in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A new poll from Vanderbilt University finds Tennessee is becoming more politically polarized. Pollsters surveyed by phone 1…

While people would pay a lot per month for digital services they now get for free, the implications of this for the economy are not clear. (Gerd Altmann/Pixabay)

MIT Research Looks at Facebook's Worth to People

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A new Massachusetts Institute of Technology study aims to capture how much people would pay for free online services such …

Today (Friday) is World Press Freedom Day, created by the United Nations to support the free flow of information around the world. (Razihusen/AdobeStock)

Expert: Press Freedom Critical to Preserving U.S. Democracy

TUCSON, Ariz. – Today is United Nations' World Press Freedom Day, and events are planned across the globe. However, journalists and other …

While people would pay a lot per month for digital services they now get for free, the implications of this for the economy are not clear. (LoboStudioHamburg/Pixabay)

MIT Study Suggests How Much You Would Pay for Facebook

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – A new Massachusetts Institute of Technology study aims to capture how much people would pay for free online services like …

A 2018 University of Maryland poll found 86 percent of Americans support net neutrality rules. (Wikimedia Commons)

Net Neutrality Battle Reignites in Washington D.C.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The battle over net neutrality is heating up again – as supporters in Congress have just introduced a bill to …

Net neutrality supporters say they are fighting to protect consumers and small businesses from policies that would give large companies and websites unfair advantages online. (Ronnie B/Morguefile)

Fight to Reinstate Net Neutrality Returns to Congress

CARSON CITY, Nev. – The battle over net neutrality is heating up again – as supporters in Congress have just introduced a bill to …

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